César Azpilicueta

[Vesper 28,861]

On 03/09/2019 at 3:46 AM, Sideshow Luiz said:

https://statsbomb.com/2019/09/is-chelseas-cesar-azpilicueta-bad-now/

 

 

 If we look at successful pressured actions, however, we see Azpilicueta’s side light up.

[the wes 7,212]

On 01/09/2019 at 2:50 PM, MoroccanBlue said:

How is Tomori at RB? Genuine question?

He's not attacking minded but he could do job there till Reece James comes back from injury I love wee Dave but he's been poor this season he needs dropped from the line up 

[the wes 7,212]

42 minutes ago, Vesper said:

 If we look at successful pressured actions, however, we see Azpilicueta’s side light up.

Sheff utd seen the weakest on the right side alot of managers will take note off that I love azpi but he needs dropped to the bench 

[Jase 43,479]

2 hours ago, Vesper said:

 If we look at successful pressured actions, however, we see Azpilicueta’s side light up.

Not saying Azpi isn't struggling or declining etc but that graphic suggests we don't do well enough defensively as a team on the right hand side. The right midfielder and right center back clear do not provide enough defensive cover when you look at the attacks that go on our right defensive channel. We are either leaving too many gaps or players not tracking runners. Azpi can defend better yes but he can't do it all alone, not when he's getting overloaded out wide constantly. As the article above also mentioned...

Quote

Putting all those pieces together into a coherent story is tricky. One thing that seems clear is that Azpilicueta is being tasked with an incredibly difficult job. The combination of strong tackling numbers with the dip in interceptions and more aggressive positioning suggests that he’s frequently being left on an island and forced to deal with attackers running at him in space.

While he’s largely successful at holding down that flank, he’s not perfect. He’s largely able to harry attackers and pressure opponents as they attempt to get to the byline, but has been vulnerable when players cut back to the inside and play crosses across the box (like the one that led to Kurt Zouma’s game tying own goal against Sheffield United).

On one level, those kinds of outcomes tend to be what happens when a player makes the best of a bad situation. Azpilicueta’s slowing down attacks and forcing wingers to turn back inside and either face defensive help from his teammates, or play lower probability balls than they would be if they wiggled free. But, it’s also fair to ask, with the higher positioning seemingly required of him this season, would a more athletic player (somebody like 19-year-old already in the team of the season in the Championship last year for Wigan Reece James) be effectively preventing these situations to begin with by preventing the passes out to the wing in the first place?

Finally, there’s the question of the rest of the Chelsea defense. It’s a lot less dangerous to force a player to check back inside if he’s running into N’Golo Kanté than it is if it’s only Jorginho waiting on him. Then there’s Kurt Zouma as the left sided central defender who teams appear to be picking on relentlessly. It’s possible that if Antonio Rüdiger returns from injury and takes his place (either directly or by coming in on the right and allowing another defender to slide over), those crossfield balls will start seeming less dangerous.

James may well do better than Azpi in 1 v 1 situations when put in the team but if people think swapping him for Azpi will instantly solve our defensive problems, then they are delusional because the more we play, the more our defensive shape as a team problem becomes apparent. If Lampard and co. don't make us defensively solid as a unit, the same problems will just keep on happening regardless of who plays.  

[oxfordblues 299]

is it time for reece james

[robsblubot 3,508]

5 hours ago, Jason said:

Not saying Azpi isn't struggling or declining etc but that graphic suggests we don't do well enough defensively as a team on the right hand side. The right midfielder and right center back clear do not provide enough defensive cover when you look at the attacks that go on our right defensive channel. We are either leaving too many gaps or players not tracking runners. Azpi can defend better yes but he can't do it all alone, not when he's getting overloaded out wide constantly. As the article above also mentioned...

James may well do better than Azpi in 1 v 1 situations when put in the team but if people think swapping him for Azpi will instantly solve our defensive problems, then they are delusional because the more we play, the more our defensive shape as a team problem becomes apparent. If Lampard and co. don't make us defensively solid as a unit, the same problems will just keep on happening regardless of who plays.  

Exactly! Do a bit better in 1v1s which is easier said than done, will help very little esp against stronger opposition.

good wingers/forwards will always have the edge if they can isolate defenders however good they may be. That’s why managers keep the lines compact.

even in the goal we conceded, azpi was all alone without any cover or help near him at the end of the game defending a lead at that! That’s just a no-no and is happening way too often.

finally, given our situation and the number of inexperienced players in the squad, it does not matter if a 19yo can slightly improve 1v1s. We cannot afford to lose azpi’s experience at this time. He is the key player to help us getting this shit together.

[the wes 7,212]

Spanish sides Real Sociedad and Athletic Bilbao are set to pounce on Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta, 30, if he becomes available. (Express)

[Jase 43,479]

1 hour ago, the wes said:

Spanish sides Real Sociedad and Athletic Bilbao are set to pounce on Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta, 30, if he becomes available. (Express)

Daily Shit. Classic transfer rumor from the media.

Even when Azpi is no longer first choice, he's still a decent option to have as back up for at least another year or two.

[OhForAGreavsie 5,892]

14 hours ago, Robchels said:

Exactly! Do a bit better in 1v1s which is easier said than done, will help very little esp against stronger opposition.

good wingers/forwards will always have the edge if they can isolate defenders however good they may be. That’s why managers keep the lines compact.

even in the goal we conceded, azpi was all alone without any cover or help near him at the end of the game defending a lead at that! That’s just a no-no and is happening way too often.

finally, given our situation and the number of inexperienced players in the squad, it does not matter if a 19yo can slightly improve 1v1s. We cannot afford to lose azpi’s experience at this time. He is the key player to help us getting this shit together.

I largely agree with you despite believing all along that, if Reece remained with the squad, he would force his way into the team. He is not a magic spell however. He isn't, singlehandedly, going to transform us.

Like any defender Reece needs a 100% success rate to completely rule out danger but, as it is for everyone, that level of success is completely impossible. Where I think he will help immediately is in distributing the ball. I'm not referring to his supurb long range deliveries. He'll have to settle in and overcome the new boy's tendancy to try too hard before we can expect him to be consistent with those. No, I mean with ordinary continuity passing. I think Reece will produce a better pass completion rate than Azpi and that's significant. Unexpected turnovers are the most dangerous of course.

[Tomo 21,733]

1 hour ago, Jason said:

Daily Shit. Classic transfer rumor from the media.

Even when Azpi is no longer first choice, he's still a decent option to have as back up for at least another year or two.

The issue is, will he accept that? If yes then ideal because should James become the bonafide #1 (which i think he will) then finding good cover will be a bitch as no one of any note will want to join if playing prospects are so minimul.

[NikkiCFC 7,955]

5 hours ago, the wes said:

Spanish sides Real Sociedad and Athletic Bilbao are set to pounce on Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta, 30, if he becomes available. (Express)

Clubs on his level. 

[NikkiCFC 7,955]

17 hours ago, Robchels said:

finally, given our situation and the number of inexperienced players in the squad, it does not matter if a 19yo can slightly improve 1v1s. We cannot afford to lose azpi’s experience at this time. He is the key player to help us getting this shit together.

Age is not important. Our best players this season have been Abraham and Mount. And I expect even more from James and CHO. 

[Jase 43,479]

6 hours ago, Tomo said:

The issue is, will he accept that? If yes then ideal because should James become the bonafide #1 (which i think he will) then finding good cover will be a bitch as no one of any note will want to join if playing prospects are so minimul.

If his character and recent comments about the youth are anything to go by, I'd say yes. He specifically said this regarding James just two weeks ago...

https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/chelsea/chelsea-stalwart-cesar-azpilicueta-backs-reece-james-to-be-next-big-thing-at-stamford-bridge-a4220041.html

Quote

Azpilicueta said: “I am here to help everybody and he is an amazing kid. He has a very good mentality.

"No one has any doubts about his talent on the pitch and hopefully he can be a very important player.

“When he (first) came (to train with the senior side) he was already used to the way we play. After he arrived, I was playing as a centre-back so he was training on the right next to me.

“It was easy for me to get close to him and help him with the movements and to get used to the way we play. The movements that the manager asks us to play.”

Furthermore, James isn't going to be able to play every game, week in week out at this point and gotta take loss of form, injuries etc into consideration. Azpi will still get his share of games.

[Tomo 21,733]

1 hour ago, Jason said:

If his character and recent comments about the youth are anything to go by, I'd say yes. He specifically said this regarding James just two weeks ago...

https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/chelsea/chelsea-stalwart-cesar-azpilicueta-backs-reece-james-to-be-next-big-thing-at-stamford-bridge-a4220041.html

Furthermore, James isn't going to be able to play every game, week in week out at this point and gotta take loss of form, injuries etc into consideration. Azpi will still get his share of games.

While I absolutely do not doubt his intentions are genuine there's one thing saying you will be happy to take a back seat at a point you are playing reguarly compared to actually doing it when the time comes, even Mr Chelsea himself JT chose to move on after a year in a squad role.

I don't mean by that he will kick up a stink and act like a schoolchild like Cahill and Luiz did but if we get to next summer he's firmly number 2 and a host of clubs can offer a guaranteed starting place I could certainly see him atleast weighing up his options.

[Jase 43,479]

1 minute ago, Tomo said:

While I absolutely do not doubt his intentions are genuine there's one thing saying you will be happy to take a back seat at a point you are playing reguarly compared to actually doing it when the times comes, even Mr Chelsea himself JT decided to hunt for a new cluv after a year in a squad role.

I don't mean by that he will kick up a stink and act like a schoolchild like Cahill and Luiz did but if we get to next summer he's firmly number 2 and a host of clubs can offer a guaranteed starting place I could certainly see him atleast weighing up his options.

I guess only time will tell...

[robsblubot 3,508]

7 hours ago, NikkiCFC said:

Age is not important. Our best players this season have been Abraham and Mount. And I expect even more from James and CHO. 

Age MAY not be that important, but experience is extremely important especially in defense. PL experience is also well-priced.  

I honestly can believe I am here making this point. Evidence? See every other club starting xi.

Way too early to discuss who’s who in the season tho.

with azpi, https://www.transfermarkt.us/premier-league/durchschnittsalter/wettbewerb/GB1

the ironic thing here is that folks may think I’m against the youth when in fact I want to enable them to be successful.

[Vesper 28,861]

On 05/09/2019 at 0:17 PM, NikkiCFC said:

Age is not important.

The Jimmy Savile motto

[Jase 43,479]

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/sep/13/frank-lampard-chelsea-top-six-place-not-guaranteed

The return of James is expected to increase the pressure on César Azpilicueta, who came in for heavy criticism following a poor performance in last month’s 2-2 draw with Sheffield United, but Lampard was quick to mount a strong defence of the experienced right-back.

“I played with Azpilicueta and I know him very well and he is the first player to stand up,” he said. “The reason he’s captain is because of that professionalism. He’s been an incredible player for a club that’s won a lot and he’s been central to winning a lot. He’s not just a bystander.

“He’s been right in the middle of it all and he will be more aware than anyone of his form and what it means. He will be the first one who wants to address it every minute of the day in training. I think he’s a big player for us and a big personality. I see no problem.”